Ralph Gordy Sr.
January 3, 1917 — November 11, 2014
Ralph Edward Gordy Sr.
January 3, 1917 – November 11, 2014
Ralph Edward Gordy Sr. , 97, of Kentmore Park, Kennedyville, Maryland and Key Largo, Florida, died peacefully at home surrounded with family. Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, he will be greatly missed and loved. Ralph was predeceased by his father, Elva S. Gordy, his mother, Gertrude and his sister, Evelyn.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Gordy. His four children: son-Ralph, Jr and wife Jill; daughter-Gina Perrone and husband Ned; son-Peter Gordy and wife Jeannie; son-Nelson Gordy, step son-Eric MacLean and wife Nancy; His grandchildren: Todd Gordy, Carl Perrone, Scott Perrone, Shannon Gordy DiPierro, Ryan Gordy, Cameron Gordy. Elizabeth Maclean, Erica Maclean. His great grandchildren: Isabella Gordy, Jonathan Gordy and Dash DiPierro.
Ralph realized many a young man’s dream – he made enough money to retire at age 49. “I didn’t want to work anymore” said the man who built between 7,000 and 8,000 homes in Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina and Georgia from 1946 to his retirement in 1966. Ralph grew up in west Philadelphia and went to night school at Drexel for architecture. In the beginning, he worked with his father and built neighborhoods and housing developments in Delaware. In the early 1950’s he was asked to take part in the Savannah River Site working on design for the cooling towers of the nuclear reactors and built housing for its employees. Another milestone was the Chuck Wagon restaurant built in 1957, located on Kirkwood Hwy, in Wilmington De. In Rehoboth Beach, DE he built the famous Bottle and Cork Bar, many years ago.
With his wife Elizabeth, he split his time between Maryland’s Eastern Shore in Kentmore Park and at the Key Largo at the Key Largo Anglers Club and the Ocean Reef Club. Bridge, Tennis and Travel were his passions. Ralph was a Life Master in Bridge, the highest level, he loved the game and accredited to his mental health. He loved boating, he make the trip from Maryland to Key Largo over 40 times on the Intra Coastal Waterway. He traveled the world many times, from the Great Wall of China to the Caribbean. He loved telling jokes, he entertained his family and friends with an endless reserves and of stories of his travels with Elizabeth. We cannot say enough about Ralph except as a family we were truly blessed to have him as part of our lives. One of his famous quotes, “Here’s looking up your record”.
Ralph will be interned at St. Annes Church in Middletown, DE.
There will be a private luncheon held at the Key Largo Anglers Club in Celebration of his Life with friends and family.